Michael Bertram Composition Award Expression of Interest

Melba Opera Trust is proud to offer the Michael Bertram Composition Award, a biennial initiative established to encourage and support contemporary operatic and vocal composition in the classical tradition.

Funded through the generous bequest of Michael Bertram, the Award will either support the creation of a new vocal or operatic work, or enable the inaugural performance of a new composition. While the specific nature of the supported work will vary from year to year, the Award will always uphold Bertram’s vision of giving voice to new operatic and vocal music.

Learn more about Michael Bertram here.

Expressions of Interest are now closed.

This year the Award is valued at $9,000AUD. The recipient will have six months to complete the commission. The recipient will then have the opportunity to workshop the new piece with artists in the 2026 Melba Program where it will also be premiered at a dedicated performance.

2025 Composition guidelines

• 15-minute song cycle for voice/s and piano
• The song cycle may use either existing or new text. If using new text or the text is still in copyright, it is the applicant’s responsibility to secure rights permission and to cover any related costs.
• Text to be in English, Italian, French or German

Eligibility and Composition Requirements

The Michael Bertram Composition Award is open to Australian citizens. We welcome applications from applicants who have previous experience composing for voice. As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit examples of past works.

The Process

The Award will be decided through a two-stage process:

1. Expressions of Interest (including examples of past work) will be reviewed by an industry panel.
2. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview with the panel in late September / early October, where they can present their artistic intentions.

The recipient will be announced by the end of October 2025.

Submissions will close on Friday 19 September 2025, 11.59PM AEST. The following information is required:

• Your CV as a composer, highlighting your previous works for voice/s and piano.
• 2 x scores of existing compositions demonstrating your ability to write for voice and piano, provided as 2 separate PDFs.
• Proof of Australian citizenship – a copy of your passport, birth certificate, Australian Citizenship Certificate or similar official document that confirms your birthplace or citizenship.
• 2 referee names with their contact details.

Successful candidates will be invited to attend an online interview with the panel and be prepared to share ideas on the commission.

Should you require any further information, please contact the Melba Opera Trust office: info@melbaoperatrust.com.au